Dr.Suzanne Banister
Associate Professor of Music; Music Education
PAC 54; (360) 650-2217
suzanne.banister@wwu.edu
Dr. Suzanne Banister, Associate Professor, is in her 7th year as the Coordinator of Music Education, and Practicum/Student Teaching Supervisor at Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington. Dr. Banister is impassioned in preparing future music educators of the highest caliber for the 'world of teaching music.' Prior to January 2007, Dr. Banister was the Western Washington University Symphonic Band Conductor, of which enrollments increased from 39 musicians during the Fall of 2000 to consistently 90+ members by the Fall of 2001 - 2006. Prior to teaching at Western Washington University, Dr. Banister was the Director of Music Education, Student Teaching Supervisor, and the Marching Band Director at Washburn University, in Topeka, Kansas. Dr. Banister is a published writer with articles published in, “Journal of Band Research,” “Contributions to Music Education,” “Bandworld,” “Band Director’s Guide,” “The Missouri Journal of Research,” "The Instrumentalist,” “The Woman Conductor,” “The National Band Association Journal," "Kansas Music Review Journal, "TRIAD," and, the “PODIUM,” among others, and is a published composer with high school orchestral compositions published by Wingert-Jones, and choral music published by AMC Publications. Dr. Banister has served as a marching and concert band clinician, a music education clinician, a choral music clinician, and a marching and concert band adjudicator throughout the United States and British Columbia. Dr. Banister has been an instrumental music education clinician for Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conferences in Chicago, Ill, and an instrumental music education/band clinician for State and National MENC Conventions. Dr. Banister has been selected for the 2003 Marquis, “Who’s Who of American Women,” and the 2004 Marquis, “Who’s Who of International Women.” Last year she was selected as the recipient of The University of Akron School of Music Distinguished Music Educator Alumni Award. Prior to collegiate teaching, Dr. Banister was a public school instrumental and vocal music director for 14 years in Akron and Canton, Ohio, and 2 years in Indiana. Her high school marching, concert, and jazz bands in Ohio received superior ratings at the district, state, and national levels, including superior/1st Division Ratings awarded by Dr. William D. Revelli and Colonel Arnald Gabriel for her high school symphonic band. Dr. Revelli and Colonel Gabriel have been considered among the world's elite band conductors.
Dr. Banister received her Bachelors degree in music education from Western Kentucky University, Master of Music degree from the University of Akron, and a Ph.D. in music education, with an emphasis in instrumental music education and instrumental conducting from Kent State University. Dr. Banister has studied conducting with Dr. Wayne Gorder, Kent State University, and participated in conducting symposiums with Dr. Mallory Thompson, Northwestern University, and Allan McMurray, The University of Colorado. Dr. Banister’s research mentor at Kent State University was Dr. Donald Hamann, who is currently a professor at The University of Arizona.
Dr. Banister is passionate about the importance of music education in students’ lives, from pre-school through adulthood. She has been a guest clinician throughout the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and British Columbia speaking to school boards, educational outreach committees, university committees, and at music conferences on, “The Importance of Music Advocacy in our Public Schools.” Students who study music in public schools are in the top percentage of National Merit Scholars, medical surgeons, attorneys, biologists, pharmacists, professors, airline pilots, CEO’s, engineers, and teachers. Studying music in pre-school through one’s school career results in the students achieving higher academic success in math, science, social studies, language arts, etc., than students who are not or have not been involved in musical activities. Yes, there is a direct correlation between musician’s scores on achievement tests, ACT, SAT, etc., versus those of students who have never participated in a musical ensemble. Music is the ONLY activity that uses the left, right, front, and back parts and synapses of the brain.
During Dr. Banister's professional career, she has been a member of the "National Education Association," "Music Educator's National Conference," "Indiana Music Educator's Association," "Ohio Music Educator's Association," "Kansas Music Educator's Association," “Washington Music Educator’s Association,” "Women's Band Directors International Association," "College Band Directors National Association," “The National Band Association,” and she served as the National Vice President of “Tau Beta Sigma."